Man Stabbed During Norwich Brawl

NORWICH — Three people were arrested Tuesday and one was injured during a stabbing that took place during a fight over cigarettes, police said.

Police responded to a report of a stabbing about 3:40 p.m. at Main Street and Railroad Avenue. When they arrived, they found John Warner, 50, of Jay Street in New London with puncture wounds on the back of his left arm, police said.

Police learned that Warner and Stanley Scovish had approached Bruce Skidgel and his girlfriend and asked for cigarettes. Skidgel and the woman refused to sell a cigarette, and the fight began.

Skidgel got out a paring knife and twice stabbed Warner, police said.

Warner was treated at the William W. Backus Hospital in Norwich and discharged. When he was released, he was charged with third-degree assault and disorderly conduct, police said. He was in custody on $1,000 bail.

Skidgel, 23, was charged with second-degree assault and breach of peace, police said. He was in custody on $10,000 bail, they said.

Scovish, 62, was charged with second-degree threatening and breach of peace. He was in custody on $1,000 bail.

Anyone with information about the stabbing or any other criminal activity in the city is asked to call police at 860-886-5561 or the anonymous tip line at 860-886-5561, ext. 500.